§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Transport what percentage of total road accidents in 1959 were attributed 164W to excessive speed and turning right without due care, respectively; and what steps he is taking to limit right-hand turns, in view of the accidents they cause, as well as a slowing down in the circulation of traffic.
§ Mr. MarplesOur figures relating to speed and manoeuvres cover fatal and serious accidents only, of which 74,127 occurred in 1959. 8,659 vehicles were reported as going too fast having regard to conditions; 10,853 vehicles were reported as turning right in that year. These figures cannot be expressed as percentages of the total number of accidents because any one accident may have involved more than one of the vehicles so reported.
On the open road, the reduction or elimination of hazard from right-hand turns is best achieved by improved design of intersections. On trunk roads many such improvements, including the use of flyovers and roundabouts, are now under way or in the planning stage. In cities the problem has in many cases been solved by diverting right-turning traffic through nearby streets. I hope to increase the use of such measures in London within the limits set by the irregular street pattern.